FAQ

Q: Why was this site chosen?

The site was selected due to its access to the existing TransGrid substation, land use, site access, minimal environmental and social disturbance, and terrain.

Q: Who is Canadian Solar?

The proponent for the Project is Panorama BESS SubCo, a privately owned Australian company. Founded in 2001 in Canada, Canadian Solar (Australia) Pty Ltd (Canadian Solar), owner of Panorama BESS SubCo is one of the world’s largest and foremost solar power companies and has been publicly listed on National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) since 2006. Canadian Solar was incorporated in 2011 in Sydney as part of the global footprint of Canadian Solar. The local team has an excellent understanding of the requirements and challenges of successful deployment and has a proven track record delivering large commercial solar installations in Australia and globally.

Q: What are the investigations being completed to inform the Project EIS?

The following key issues were identified in the EIS Scoping Study and in the SEARs for detailed assessment, and are subject to specialist assessment by a range of experts:
• Noise and vibration;
• Biodiversity;
• Aboriginal heritage;
• Traffic and access;
• Visual amenity.
• Water quality;
• Land quality;
• Air quality and greenhouse gas;
• Social and economic;
• Waste management;
• Hazard and risk; and
• Cumulative impacts.

Preliminary results from a number of specialist investigations including noise and vibration and traffic indicate that impacts associated with the Project are limited to the construction phase only and can be effectively managed by standard and site specific mitigation measures to limit interruption and impacts to surrounding residences and
the local environment. Once these investigations have been completed, the mitigation and management measures recommended by these investigations will be incorporated into the EIS and form the commitments made by Panorama BESS SubCo to ensure all impacts associated with the Project are appropriately managed to reduce impacts on the surrounding environment and community.

Q: Will the Project impact the value of my land?

During our first round of community engagement, questions were raised around the potential impacts of the Project on the saleability of nearby residences in the future, and impacts of traffic, noise, and fire risk to the surrounding community. As detailed above, assessment completed so far indicates little to no impact to surrounding residences will result from the construction and operation of the Project that are unable to mitigated and managed in areas of concern including hazard and risk, traffic, and noise. It is therefore not anticipated that any additional impacts to saleability of nearby residences will result given the existing operation of the TransGrid substation at the site.

Q: What are the next steps for this Project?

Once completed, the EIS will be lodged with the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). The DPE will publicly exhibit the EIS for at least 28 days, and Panorama BESS SubCo will be required to provide a response to public submissions. This response to submissions will be made available on the DPE major projects website and issues raised by stakeholders and community members and groups will be considered by DPE. Once this assessment is complete, the NSW Minister for Planning can then decide whether the Project may proceed.